William Lewis Safire was an American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. He was a long-time syndicated political columnist for The New York Times and wrote the "On Language" column in The New York Times Magazine about popular etymology, new or unusual usages, and other language-related topics.

Notable Deaths

1929Manuel de Oliveira Gomes da Costa, Portuguese general and politician, tenth President of Portugal (born 1863)^[†]

Manuel de Oliveira Gomes da Costa, commonly known as Manuel Gomes da Costa or just Gomes da Costa, was a Portuguese army officer and politician, the tenth president of Portugal and the second of the National Dictatorship.

Headlines from December 17, 1929

3-GUN SUSPECT SHOT IN DUEL IN 41ST ST.; Policeman, Fired on in Office Off Broadway After Seizing One Pistol, Shoots It Out. FOUR FLEE AS FRAY BEGINS Alleged Gambler Trailed From Restaurant Wounded 4 Times --Knife Found on Him.

PARTY BARS HEFLIN FOR BOLTING SMITH; Alabama Democratic Committee Forbids the Candidacy of Senator in Primary. VOTERS WELCOMED BACK Heflin to Run as Independent --Locke, Also Barred, Stays in Race for Governor.

FRENCH DEBT PACT RATIFIED BY SENATE; Vote of 53 to 21 for 62-Year Payment of $4,025,000,000 Plus Interest. BASED ON 'ABILITY TO PAY' Smoot Defends Deal in Brief Debate Against Howell's Charge of "Cancellation."

Smith Gets Title to City Realty by Mistake After Saying He Owns Not a Bit of Manhattan

Notable Births

Notable Deaths